A great look into perseverance and never judging a book by it's cover. This would be a great way to start a conversation about how a child has experienced bias based on their appearance.

"Give up, Gecko" was a good book, except for the first few pages where all the animals were talking. It is too hard for the target audience to follow that many different animals at one time. The main point of the story is that if you never give up you will reach your goal. This shows when all the animals try to find the water adn then give up shortly after, but the Gecko does not. ( )

In my opinion, this book was an okay read. It kept my attention for the most part, but the main reason I liked it was because of the main message. The main message of this book was to never give up no matter what anyone says. In the book, the Gecko was told to give up looking for water for the animals multiple times, but the gecko didn't give up, he didn't listen to the animals. I think this is a good message for all children. Children should know that no matter what anyone says about them, they should never give up on their goals in life. This is a very important message that all teachers and parents should teach their children. After reading this book, I would definitely read this to my future students and kids. ( )

Summary: Elephant was shouting and stomping. But could he stomp a hole deep enough to reach water for the thirsty animals? Maybe... maybe not. All the animals tried until tiny Gecko Gecko takes a turn. He is small, but determined and he is not going to give up.
Critique of Genre:Fiction-animals don't talk in real life.
Age:Elementary
Media: Watercolor and colored pencil manipulated in Photoshop. ( )

This was a charming little story about a group of animals in the African desert that were looking for water. This group of animals ranged from elephants, to rhinos, to giraffes, to monkeys, to snakes, and to a tiny gecko. Throughout the story, all the animals try digging a hole in the ground by stomping to find water. The animals proclaim that the first animal to find water will become the Chief of the group. All of the large animals try digging, but eventually all get tired and give up. Same happens with the medium sized animals, and the smaller animals. All of them except for the gecko, that continues digging, evening despite his friends saying "Give up, Gecko!". But eventually, the gecko finds water, and in return, the animals make him chief of the group, as well as build him a house.

This story could be use to teach students the value and importance of hard work, and not giving up even when times look bleak. It could also be used to teach children to not judge a book by it's cover. Because even though the gecko is the smallest one in the group, he was able to achieve the biggest triumph. ( )